Device for detecting defects in yarn, thread, and the like



March 6, .1934. c. D REYNOLDS ET AL DEF-(ICE FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN YARN, THREAD, AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 6, 1934. c. D. REYNOLDS ET AL 1,949,943

DEVICE FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN YARN, THREAD, AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 1932 2 Sheets-sheaf, 2

7/ 4 a" q TL? 7 If y i: z 36' a i 7 "if 1 1 g i .251 I Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN YARN,

THREAD, AND THE LIKE tion of Massachusetts Application May 20, 1932, Serial No. 612,592

14 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved device for detecting faults or defects in a running yarn or thread and operating to arrest the feed of the yarn or other strand when a thin place occurs therein or upon detection of an enlargement in the yarn or a slub or bunch thereon. The present device while being particularly designed for use with coarse yarns of hemp and jute may also be employed for detecting faults in other filaments, the term yarn appearing in the following specification and claims being intended to indicate all kinds of strand material either textile or otherwise.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified adapted to act on a running yarn to detect thin places therein and immediately arrest the passage of the yarn to prevent the defective portion from feeding to the machine or process to which it is being supplied.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which also acts to detect the appearance of enlarged portions on the yarn caused by an extra strand or resultin from a slub or bunch on the surface thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which operates automatically to immediately arrest the passage of the strand through the device whereby to actuate stopping mechanism on the machine to which the yarn is feeding or to break the yarn so that the imperfect portion may be removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which is sensitive and prompt in action and accurate in gauging the size of the yarn to detect slight variations in the thickness thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which is entirely automatic in operation, simple in construction and proof against derangement or getting out of 01"! der.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the device, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete device showing it operating on a yarn feeding from a source of supply;

Fig. 2 is a similar part-sectional view showing the device rendered operative by the detection of an enlargement in the yarn and acting to break the material;

Fig. 3 is a similar part-sectional view showing the device in action to detect a thin place in the yarn;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the device,

Fig. 5 is an end view of the gauging device for detecting thin places in the yarn, showing a yarn of normal thickness passing thereover; and

Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating the manner in which a thin place in the yarn causes it to pass through the sizing gauge.

In the manufacture of yarn and cord from hemp, jute and other coarse fibers it is diflicult to maintain uniformity of size or thickness of the yarn and thin places and enlargements. bunches and slugs appear at intervals along the length of the yarn. For certain uses it is desirable to maintain substantial uniformity in size or thickness and therefore the yarn must be inspected during its transfer from one process to another. The present improved detector device provides means for automatically inspecting and gauging the yarn to detect faults or defects caused by thin places or enlargements therein and, as herein shown, the device is adapted for use during transference of the yarn from a source of supply to a winding or other machine.

Referring to the present drawings, our improved detector device is herein shown with its parts assembled or mounted on a main frame or bracket 2. The bracket 2 may have means such as a clamping portion 3 for attaching it to a horizontal support or rod 4 extending between brackets 5 fastened to the standard or 1eg 6 of a winding or other 'machine. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the clamp 3 is constructed as a part of the vertical web '7 of the bracket 2 and shaped to partly surround the rod 4 with a set-screw 8 at its end for engaging against the rod. At its outer end the bracket 2 is formed with a hooded portion 9 on which is mounted a tension-device of conventional type for applying resistance to the draft of the yarn as it feeds to the detector device. As shown more particularly in Fig. 4, the tensiondevice comprises a pair of opposed concavoconvex disks 11 and 12 rotatably mounted on a rod or pin 13 which is held in a hub 14 on the side of the bracket 2. A helical spring 15 surrounds the rod 13 and is held under tension by nuts 16 to adapt it to bear against a washer 17 whereby to maintain the tension-disks pressed against the yarn y drawing between their convex faces. Any other form of tension means may be employed and it is to be understood that the tension-device does not constitute an essential part of the present invention.

Mounted on the side of the bracket 2 is a frame tector device. Referring to Fig. 4, the frame 20 comprises an upright wall 21 formed with a-hub or boss 22, from which projects a stud 23 received within a bore in a boss 24 on the web 7 of the bracket 2. A set-screw 25 threaded into the side of the boss 24 serves as a means for holding the end of the stud 23 in place in the boss to locate the frame 20 and adjust it in position with respect to the bracket 2. A set-screw 27 is threaded through an ear or lug 28 projecting from the rearward side of the frame 20 with its end adapted to seat against an inclined rib 29 on the side of the bracket 2. A check-nut 30 set up against, the lug 28 serves to lockthe set-screw 2'7 in adjusted position. By releasing'the nut 30 and turning the set-screw 27 the frame 20 may be adjusted on the stud 23 as a pivot to set the detector device in alinement with the tension-device through which the yarn feeds.-

The frame 20is formed with a shelf or ledge 33 projecting forwardly from its vertical wall 21. Rising from opposite sides of the shelf or ledge 33 are two upright posts 34 provided with alining horizontal bores for receiving a pair of gauge-pins 35. The gauge-pins 35 are held in the bores in the posts 34 by means of set-screws 37 reaching up through the bottom of the shelf 33 as shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and 6. The ends of the gauge-pins 35 project toward each other into the space between the posts 34, being hollowed out on their under sides at 38 and convexly tapered or beveled on their upper sides at 40 as shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and 6. The

two gauge-pins 35 are adapted to be adjusted in their bores to provide a slight space between their ends, the width of the space being gauged to permit the yarn to pass therethrough when its thickness is less than what is required. Normally, the

yarn 1 draws across the convexly beveled upper faces of the two gauge-pins 35 as indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings and when of the required size it'is prevented from. passing through the space between the ends of the pins. It will be understood that by releasing the set-screws 37 the gauge-pins 35 may be adjusted with their ends guide is secured in place by a screw 46 inse'rted through an outboard bearing 47, .formed as a part of the frame 20, and threaded into the rearward side of the frame, see Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The guide 45 acts to deflect the course of the yarn between the tension-device and the'gaugepins 35, and cooperating therewith is a movable yarn-catcher 50 constructed in the form of a enlarged portions in the yam or slubs and 1,949,943 20 which carries the operating parts of the debunches thereon as the strand feeds under the guide 45.

A toe or tailpiece at the lower end of the lever 50 reaches inunder the shelf 33 on the frame 20 to adapt it to be engaged by the end of a set-screw 56 threaded through the shelf. The set-screw 56, which is provided with a checknut 57, serves as a stop or limit for the lever 50 to adjust its position whereby-to regulate the distance between the points of its teeth 54 and the periphery of the cylindrical guide 45. By releasing the check-nut 57 and turning the set-screw 56 the position of the lever 50 may be adjusted to regulate the distance between the points of its teeth and the periphery of the guide 45 in accordance with the size or thickness of the yarn being operated upon, It will be understood that the weight of the main arm of the lever 50 maintains it normally in the position shown in Fig. 1

with its tailpiece 55 bearing against the end of the set-screw 56. When the teeth on the lever 50 are engaged by an enlargement in the yarn or a slub or bunch thereon the lever will be rocked in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, whereby the eccentricity of its end will cause the teeth to approach the surface of the guide 45 to seize the yarn thereagainst in the manner and for the purpose as later more fully explained.

The yarn-catcher or seizing lever 50 has its toothed face partly protected by a guard constructed in the form of a weighted lever 60. The guard-lever 60 is pivoted on a screw 61 held in aboss 62 on the side of the frame 20 with its upper portion bent to overlie and rest against a portion of the toothed face of the lever 50. The guard-lever 60 has a tailpiece 63 bent around to enclose a cylindrical weight 64 which acts to maintain the upper portion of the lever in contact with the teeth on the lever 50. The purpcme of the guard-lever 60 is to prevent the fibers on the surface of the yarn from being caught in the teeth of the lever 50 to actuate the latter without the presence of an enlargement in the yarn or a slub or bunch thereon.

At the left of the guard-lever 60 is a stationary finger 65 which projects from the side of the frame 20 and serves as a guide to assist in threading the yarnthrough the device. A final guide 66 for the yarn as it leads from the device is provided at the right-hand end of the bracket 2. The

.guide 66 may take the form of a porcelain cylinder held on a rod 6'7 secured in a boss 68 on the bracket 2 and provided witha nut 69 at its end. An additional threading guide 70, shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, comprises a plate-like member fastened to the top of the bracket 2 by a screw '71 and shaped with a slot '72 in which the yarn may play. The slot '72 is closed by two triangular ears 73 which have their points overlapping and spaced apart whereby to provide a reentrant guideway for leading the yarn into the slot or opening '72. g

Having now described the improved detector device in detail in connection with its mounting 'it draws up through the tension-device between the disks 11 and 12 and thence leads through the detector mechanism and under the porcelain roll 66 to feed upwardly to the winding-spindle of the eer-recs machine. From the tension-disks 11 and 12 the yarn leads under the guide-roll i5 and thence draws through the trough formed by the convexly beveled portions 40 of the gauge-pins 35. The gauge-pins 35 are adjusted in the bores of the posts 34 with their ends spaced apart to provide an opening therebetween of slightly less width than the thickness of the yarn, see Fig. 5. The yarn y will therefore rest in the trough and draw around the convex terminal portions of the pins 35 in the manner as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 2. From the gauge-pins 35 the yarn draws down at an angle to feed under the guide-roll 66 and passing therearound leads upwardly through the guide 70 to the machine to which it is being supplied. a

The yarn-catcher or balanced lever is adjusted in position with the points 'of its teeth 54 at the proper distance from the periphery of the fixed guide 45 to provide a free passage of the yarn therebetween. This adjustment is effected by loosening the check-nut 57 and-turning the screw 56 to cause its end to act against the tailpiece on the lever 50 to swing the latter into the desired position. It will be understood that the weight of the upper arm of the lever 50 normally maintains it in the position illustrated in Fig. l with the guard-member 60 overlying and covering a portion of the teeth 54.

Normally, when the yarn y is of uniform size or thickness and free of enlargements, slubs, bunches and the like, it will feed continuously through the dectector device without actuating the yarn-catcher or seizing lever 50. Should, however, an enlarged portion appear in the yarn, or a slub or bunch on its surface, such enlargement will be caught by the teeth 54 on the lever 50 as it passes under the guide 45. Immediately this occurs the movement of the yarn will rock the lever 50 in a clockwise direction to cause it to seize the yarn against the fixed guide 45 in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 2 to check its further feeding movement. The machine to which the detector device is applied may be provided with sensitive stopping mechanism caused to be actuated by the arrest of the lineal travel of the yarn or, in other cases, the seizing of the yarn by the lever 50 may cause it to be broken in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 2. As usually provided, the rupture of the yarn releases a drop-wire or other element which energizes the stopping mechanism of the machine to arrest the winding or other operation. In this way the imperfect portion of the yarn is prevented from feeding to the machine and the operator, being apprised of the stopping of the machine, may break out the defective part of the yarn, splice the ends together and again start the winding or other transfer operation.

The above method of operation of the device for breaking the yarn upon the detection of an enlargement therein or a slub or bunch thereon is in accordance with previously used slub detectors, but the present improved device has a further function in detecting thin places in the yarn to arrest the transfer operation for this defect. It has been stated that the yarn normally draws across the beveled ends of the gauge-pins 35 without being permitted to enter the slit or opening between their ends. When, however, a thin place occurs in the yarn the latter will be allowed to slide down through the gap or opening between the ends of the pins in the manner as'indicated in Figs. 3 and 6. In such event the yarn will feed from the fixed guide 45 directly to the guide-roll 66 in a straight course, as indicated in Fig. 3, whereby it will be caused to engage the endmost teeth on the lever 50 to thereby actuate the latter to seize the yarn against the guide 45. That is to say, when the yarn is diverted from its normal path across the gauge-pins 35 the change in its course will cause it to be engaged with the teeth on the lever 50 to cause the latter to act in the i'nanner as before explained. In this way the feed of the yarn is interrupted and if the transfer operation is not immediately arrested the yarn will be broken to effect the stopping or" the winding or other machine. Upon this occurrence the operator attends the machine to break out the imperfect portion of the yarn and splice the ends together after which the transfer operation may be resumed.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present improved device operates automatically to detect faults or defects in the running yarn whether such be due to thin places or en largements. The device thus serves as a sentinel for inspecting a running yarn to detect faults therein and upon the occurrence of any defects to arrest the operation of the winding machine or other apparatus to which the material is being supplied. The device is extremely sensitive in detecting faults and prompt in action to interrupt the feed of the strand and may be adjusted within fine limits to operate. with precision to insure uniformity in the yarn or thread being supplied to a machine or process.

The operating mechanism of the device is extremely simple in construction, proof against derangement or getting out of order and durable in use over long periods. The parts of the device subject to wear such as the gauge-pins 35,

guide 45 and guide-roll 66 are detachable for repair or' replacement, it being noted that the guides may be rotated from one position to another when they become worn or grooved on their peripheral surface.

It isfurther to be noted that the device may be threaded up by simple motions without 'necessitating the insertion of the end of the yarn through closed'guide eyes. is to draw the yarn off from the supply-package, carry it between the tension-disks 11 and 12 and thence direct its course under the guide-roll 45 up across the gauge-pins 35 and down under the guide-roll 66. From the guide-roll 66 the yarn is entered into the guide-slot 72 by merely drawing it into the reentrant mouth provided by the inclined edges of the members '73.

While the device is herein described and illustrated as embodied in a preferred form of construction it is to be understood that modifications may be made in the form and arrangement. of the parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting ourselves in this respect, we claim:

1. A device for detecting defects in a running yarn or the like comprising a relatively fixed element, movable means for seizing the yarn against the fixed element, means for normally directing the yarn in a course to clear the movable seizing means, and means operative when a thin place occurs in the yarn to alter its course to cause the yarn to engage the seizing means to move the latter. I

2. In a device for detecting-defects in yarn or the like,the combination of means movable to seize a running yarn to arrest its travel, and means for maintaining the yarn normally traveling in a All that is necessary path beyond the range of the seizing means and adapted to release the yarn when a thin place occurs therein whereby to causethe yarn to follow a course to engage the seizing means to move the latter. f

3. In a device of the type specified, the combination of means for guiding a traveling yarn in a predetermined course, means for seizing the yarn to arrest its travel, and mean located at a distance from said seizing means arranged to normally divert the yarn from a straight course to cause it to clear the seizing means and adapted when a thin place occurs in the yarn to cause the latter to change its course to engage the seizing means.

' 4. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a fixed guide for a running yarn, means adapted to engage the yarn to seize it against the fixed guide, and means located at a distance from said guide for directing the yarn in a course to clear the seizing means, said last-named means being adapted to release the yarn when a thin place occurs therein to cause the yarn to engage with the seizing means.

5. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a guide for a traveling yarn, a movable member cooperating with said guide to seize the yarn to arrest its travel, and means located at a distance from said guide for directing the yarn in a course to normally clear the seizing member, said last-named means being adapted to release the yarn when a thin place occurs therein to cause it to travel in a course whereof it will engage the seizing member to operate the latter to arrest the travel of the yarn. 4 i\ 6. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a guide across which the yarn travels, a seizing member movable with respect to said guide to adapt it to seize the yarn thereagainst, and a gauging device having means for guiding the yarn in a course to clear the seizing member and provided with a slit through which a thin place in the yarn may pass to alter the course of the yarn to cause it to engage the seizing member.

'7. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a guide for a traveling yarn, a member pivoted to swing toward the guide to seize the yarn thereagainst, and means over which the yarn travels to direct it in a course to clear the seizing member and provided with a slit through which a thinplace in the yarn may pass to cause it to travel in a course to engage the seizing memher.

8. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a plurality of guides spaced longitudinally of the path of travel of a yarn, gauging means located intermediate said guides and engaging the yarn to divert it from its normal course between the guides and provided with an opening through which a thin place in the yarn may pass, and means operative when the yarn is released from the gauging means to seize it against one of the guides to arrest its travel.

9. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a plurality of guides spaced along the path which the yarn travels, a seizing member adapted to be engaged by an enlargement on the yarn to seize the latter to arrest its travel, and gauging means across whichthe yarn normally travels to divert it ina course clear of the seizing means, said gauging means provided with an opening through which a thin place in the yarn may pass whereby to permit the yarn to be engaged by the seizing means to operate the latter to arrest the travel of the yarn.

10. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a fixed guide, a lever pivoted oppositesaid guide and formed with an eccentric portion, said lever adapted to be engaged'by an enlargement in the yarn to seize it against the fixed guide, and a gauging device across which the yarn travels to direct it in a course to clear the seizing lever, said gauging device comprising oppositelydisposed elements across which the yarn draws, said elements arranged with their ends spaced at a distance apart to permit a thin place in the yarn to pass therethrough whereby to change the course 01 the yarn to cause it to engage the seizing lever.

11. In a device of the type specified, the com bination of a fixed guide for a traveling yarn, a lever pivoted opposite said guide and formed with an eccentric serrated face adapted to be engaged by the yarn to seize it against the guide, gauging means comprising a pair of axially-adjustable pins having beveled portions forming a trough in which the yarn is guided and spaced with their ends at a distance apart to permit a thin place in the yarn to pass therebetween, and a third guiding means for the yarn arranged out of line with the first guide and the gauging device whereby upon release of the yarn by the gauging device it is caused to travel in a path to engage the seizing lever.

12. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a fixed guide, a lever pivoted to rock toward" the fixed guide and formed with a serrated face for seizing the strand against the guide, gauging means comprising a pair of oppositely-disposed axially-alined pins having beveled portions forming a guideway for the yarn and provided with a space between their ends to permit the passage therethrough of a thin place in the yarn, and means for guiding the yarn to cause it to be diverted from a straight course by the gauging means whereby when the yarn is released by said gauging means it will engage with the seizing lever.

13. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a guide for a traveling yarn, means adapted to be engaged by the yarn to seize the'latter against the guide, gauging means beyond the seizing means comprising a pair of axially-alined pins having convexly beveled portions forming a trough for guiding the yarn, and means for adjusting the relationship of the pins to provide a space of predetermined width between their ends forming a passageway through which a thin place in the yarn may pass to cause the yarn to be engaged with the seizing means.

14. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a guide for a running yam, a lever pivoted opposite said guide and provided with an eccentric face adapted to seize the yarn against the guide, means for adjusting the position of said lever to regulate the distance between its yarne agi g face and the guide, fixed guiding means.

arranged beyond the first guide, and gauging means arranged between the guidesto deflect the course of the yarn to cause it to clear the seizing lever, said gauging means having an opening through which a thin place in the yarn may pass to cause the yarn to engage the seizing lever.

CHARLES D. REYNOLDS.

GEORGE W. SCOTT. 

